It’s a frustrating irony: the machine that’s supposed to clean your clothes starts making them smell musty. If your laundry comes out smelling sour, or there’s a damp, mildew odor every time you open the door, your washer needs some attention.
The fix usually comes down to three things: how much detergent you use, how you treat the machine between loads, and a small filter many owners don’t know exists.
Mistake #1: Using too much detergent
More detergent doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. Modern high-efficiency (HE) washers use much less water than older machines, so there’s less water to rinse soap away. Excess detergent can leave a residue on clothes and inside the machine, where it combines with lint, body oils and moisture to feed mold and bacteria.
Signs you’re overdosing
- Clothes feel stiff, slick or slightly sticky
- Towels are less absorbent than they used to be
- Dark clothes have a whitish film
- The machine smells sour or musty
- You see excess suds through the door during the wash
How much to use
Follow the detergent label and use the lowest recommended line for normal loads. Concentrated detergents need much less than you’d think. If you have an HE machine, use only detergent labeled HE. For a lightly soiled load, you can often use less.
Detergent pods are pre-measured for a typical load; using two for an average load usually means too much.
Mistake #2: Closing the door after every load
Front-load washers have an airtight rubber door seal (the gasket or boot) to stop leaks. That seal traps moisture, and when you shut the door, the inside of the machine stays damp — perfect conditions for mildew.
- Leave the door or lid ajar between loads so the drum can dry out. If you have small children or pets, make sure the machine is in a safe area and keep an eye on it.
- Pull the detergent drawer open a little, too.
- Move wet clothes to the dryer promptly. Wet laundry left sitting for hours starts to smell, and that smell transfers to the machine.
Clean the door seal
Pull back the folds of the rubber gasket on a front-loader and you might find a surprise: hair, lint, coins, socks, and black spots of mildew.
- Wipe inside the folds with a cloth and warm, soapy water.
- For mildew, use the cleaning product your manufacturer recommends. Many owner’s manuals allow a diluted bleach solution on the gasket — check yours first.
- Dry the folds with a clean towel.
- Do a quick wipe of the gasket after your last load of the day to keep it from coming back.
The hidden filter: your drain pump filter
Many front-load washers have a drain pump filter that catches lint, coins, hair ties, buttons, and the occasional baby sock before they can damage the pump. Many owners have never opened it.
Where to find it
Look at the bottom front of the machine for a small access panel or door, usually on one corner. Behind it is a round cap you can unscrew. Some machines also have a small drain hose next to it. Your owner’s manual will show exactly where it is. (Most top-loaders don’t have a user-accessible pump filter, but some have lint filters elsewhere — again, check your manual.)
How to clean it
- Unplug the washer.
- Put towels on the floor and a shallow pan or baking dish under the filter. There will be water — sometimes a lot.
- If your machine has a small drain hose, pull it out and drain the water into the pan first.
- Slowly unscrew the filter cap, letting water drain out.
- Remove the filter and clear out the debris. Rinse it under running water.
- Check the opening for anything stuck inside, then screw the filter back in firmly so it doesn’t leak.
Many manufacturers recommend checking it every few months. If your washer is slow to drain, leaves clothes soaking wet, shows a drain error code, or makes a grinding noise, a clogged pump filter is one of the first things to check.
Run a monthly cleaning cycle
Many washers have a “tub clean” or “self clean” cycle. Run it monthly with an empty drum and a washer cleaner product, or whatever your manual recommends. Some manuals recommend chlorine bleach for this cycle. Don’t mix bleach with other cleaning products, and don’t add vinegar at the same time.
If your machine doesn’t have a dedicated cycle, run the hottest, longest cycle with an empty drum and a cleaner your manufacturer approves.
Clean the detergent and softener dispensers
Dispenser drawers collect gooey detergent and softener residue that can grow mold. Most pull out completely (there’s often a release tab). Soak the drawer in warm water, scrub with an old toothbrush, and wipe out the cavity it slides into.
Check the hoses — this one could save your floors
The fill hoses that bring water to your washer are under constant water pressure. Standard rubber hoses can bulge, crack and burst with age, and a burst washer hose can release a lot of water very quickly.
- Pull the washer out a little and look at the hoses. Bulges, cracks, or blistering mean they should be replaced now.
- Many manufacturers and insurers suggest replacing rubber hoses about every five years, regardless of appearance.
- Braided stainless steel hoses are more resistant to bursting and are an inexpensive upgrade.
- Leave a few inches of space behind the washer so the hoses don’t kink.
- If you’re going away for an extended period, consider turning off the water supply valves.
Other habits that help
- Use the right cycle: very short, cold cycles with lots of detergent are a common recipe for residue buildup. An occasional warm or hot wash (where fabric labels allow) helps keep things clean.
- Don’t overload the drum: clothes need room to move for the water and detergent to work and rinse out.
- Empty pockets: tissues, coins and pens cause more problems than people think.
- Keep the machine level: an unbalanced washer vibrates and wears out faster. Adjust the feet if it rocks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use vinegar to clean my washer?
Some people do, but some manufacturers caution against regular vinegar use because it may affect rubber seals over time. The safest choice is the product recommended in your owner’s manual.
Why do my towels still smell after washing?
Residue from too much detergent or fabric softener can trap odors. Try washing towels with less detergent, no softener, and on a warmer cycle if the care label allows.
Are top-loaders less prone to smells?
Top-loaders don’t have the same airtight door gasket, so they tend to have fewer mildew issues, but they can still develop residue and odors. The same detergent and cleaning advice applies.
